Dynamic sauna

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for controlling infrared radiation (IR) sources of a sauna including tuning IR wavelength-ranges and radiated power-levels of IR sources, and directing IR to locations on a user&#39;s body. In one illustrative embodiment, a sauna may be provided having adjustable IR emitters to emit IR at any wavelength resulting in a desirable radiation treatment for the sauna user. In another illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for tuning IR emitters in a sauna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/654,180 filed Jul. 19, 2017 and issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 10,376,442on Aug. 13, 2019 which is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 9,744,098 issuedAug. 29, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,676,044 issuedMar. 18, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No.12/205,597 filed on Sep. 5, 2008, now abandoned, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 8,588,593 issued Nov. 19, 2013,the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein, by reference,in their entirety.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments are defined by the claims below, not this summary.A high-level overview of various aspects thereof is provided here tointroduce a selection of concepts that are further described in theDetailed-Description section below. This summary is not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine thescope of the claimed subject matter. In brief, this disclosure describesmethods and systems for independently controlling the temperature ofheat sources such as heat sources in a sauna. More particularly,exemplary embodiments permit independent control of infrared radiation(IR) emitters within a sauna, including tuning peak IR frequencyemission ranges and radiated power levels of IR emitters and targetingthose emitters at desired locations on a user's body. For example,various IR emitters may be located within a sauna such that the IRemitters are each pointed at a particular part(s) of a user's body innormal use, thereby permitting the selective warming or treatment ofparticular portions of a user's body.

IR emitters in accordance with exemplary embodiments permit a user toselect one or more temperatures (or peak-infrared wavelength), withdifferent temperatures/peak wavelengths being selectable for differentheating elements. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, multipleheating elements (potentially emitting at different, selected peakwavelengths) may be combined into a single compact area. Further, IRheating elements in accordance with exemplary embodiments may generateand withstand temperatures associated with traditional saunas, at whichair convection currents form. Accordingly, heating elements inaccordance with exemplary embodiments may be used to produce both IRsauna experiences and traditional sauna experiences, whereas previouslya given sauna heating element was either a traditional heating element(such as a hot rock or steam, for example) or an IR heating element.

In one embodiment, a sauna including a plurality of IR emitters operableto emit IR over specified wavelength-ranges, at least one driver modulefor operating the emitters, and a heat control module for facilitatingcontrol of the infrared emitters is described. For example, at least oneIR emitter may comprise one or more heating elements which may includearrays of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of emitting IR. Anadditional example may comprise one or more arrays of LEDs and one ormore non-LED heating elements. A non-LED heating element may comprise,for example, a high resistance polyamide panel, a ceramic heater, acarbon black based heater, or any other type of infrared emittingheating element, some of which are described further herein. In thisfashion, one or more peak IR wavelengths may be selected. Further, theabsolute and/or relative power of one or more IR peaks may be selected.The wavelength and/or power of an IR peak may also be varied over timeor distance by the driver. Such variance may be based upon user settingsand/or selections or may be predetermined.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for using a sauna includingreceiving information related to wavelength-ranges of IR, conveying atleast a portion of this information to one or more driver modules, andemitting IR from one or more emitters that are coupled to the one ormore driver modules. The method further includes emitting IR having awavelength-range that corresponds to the received information relatingto one or more wavelength ranges of IR. In one illustrative embodiment,IR of a first wavelength-range is radiated from a first emitter anddirected to a first location on a user's body, and IR of a secondwavelength-range, different than the first wavelength range is radiatedfrom a second emitter and directed to a second location on the user'sbody. Accordingly, a sauna user may select the wavelength of IR receivedduring sauna use and may even further select different IR wavelengthsfor different body portions and/or times.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for tuning IR heating in asauna. The method includes receiving information related to one or moreIR wavelength-ranges; receiving corresponding information related to IRradiated output power-levels; and emitting, from one or more IR emittersor heating elements, IR having wavelength-ranges and power-levels thatcorrespond to the received information. In one embodiment, theinformation related to one or more IR wavelength-ranges andcorresponding information related to IR radiated output power-levels maybe provided by a user. In another embodiment, this information may beprovided by a computing device.

Another exemplary embodiment includes infrared heaters with adjustableoutputs are provided. For example, IR LEDs and non-LED IR heatingelements such as a high resistance polyimide film, a ceramic heater, acarbon black based heater, or any other type of infrared emittingelement, some of which are described further herein, may be used invarious combinations. In this way, a desired peak IR wavelength(s) maybe obtained for use in a variety of heating applications.

Exemplary embodiments also include an IR heater that may have two ormore portions designed to operate at different temperatures and producemultiple peak IR wavelengths. For example, a high resistance polyimidefilm may have two or more portions that operate at differenttemperatures, thereby outputting different peak IR wavelengths. In thisexample, the two or more portions of a high resistance polyimide filmmay be fixedly or adjustably set to operate at their respectivetemperatures.

In another embodiment the peak wavelength and power output of aninfrared heater, can be independently controlled. Instead of controllingboth output power and peak IR wavelength by varying current to a singleheating element, exemplary embodiments provide independent control ofdifferent portions of an IR heater. By independently controlling aplurality of independent heater portions, output power and peakwavelength may be controlled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments are described in detail below with reference tothe attached drawing figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sauna depicted in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away front view of a sauna depicted in accordance withan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away rear view of a sauna depicted in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitablefor use in implementing exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary client module depicted inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for using a sauna depicted inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is flow diagram showing a method for using a sauna depicted inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view of various IR emitting heating elements that may beemployed in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a view of an example IR emitter that may be employed as a heatsource in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 10A is a view of an exemplary IR emitter depicted in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary IR heating elementdepicted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a method by which an exemplary embodiment may be used fortuning IR heating in a sauna;

FIG. 12 is a further method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;and

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of multi-peak infrared spectrum that maybe obtained using systems and methods in accordance exemplaryembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of select exemplary embodiments is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the descriptionitself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather,the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to includedifferent components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the onesdescribed in this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particularorder among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and exceptwhen the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The terms“about” or “approximately” as used herein denote deviations from theexact value by +/−10%, preferably by +/−5% and/or deviations in the formof changes that are insignificant to the function.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary sauna 100 is illustrated and generallyincludes a base panel 112, upright side panels 110 extending upwardlyfrom base panel 112, a top panel 114 surmounting the side panels 110 soas to define a sauna enclosure. The sauna illustrated in FIG. 1 alsoincludes a rear panel 130 and a front panel 120 having a door 123disposed therein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the door 123 may be made of any number of various materials suchas, for example, glass, wood, or particle board. The front panel 120 hasa window 124 disposed between the door 123 and one of the side panels110. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that thepanels and other components of a sauna 100 could be built using wood,metal, ceramics, or any other material available.

In the illustrated embodiment, an external control panel 126 is alsoshown. As will be further described below, various exemplary embodimentsmay have an external control panel 126 for controlling various saunafeatures such as, for example, heating, lighting, or entertainmentdevices. In other embodiments, a sauna may not have an external controlpanel 126, but only an internal control panel, as discussed below. Infurther embodiments, a sauna may be provided with an external controlpanel that is not attached to the sauna, but rather is at a remotelocation such as, for example, a desk or control station in a healthclub. All of these arrangements, and all combinations thereof, areintended to be within the ambit of the saunas described herein.

Although the illustrated sauna has a generally rectangularconfiguration, it is entirely within the ambit of exemplary embodimentsto provide other sauna configurations. For example, in one embodiment asauna may be provided that has upright panels extending upwardly fromthe base panel at an angle so as to present a different polygonal shape.In another embodiment, a sauna may be configured so that it can fitcomfortably in a corner of a room such as, for example, the Signature™Corner sauna available from Sunlight Saunas, Inc. of Kansas City, Kans.In still a further embodiment, a sauna may be configured as a circularshaped modular sauna with interconnected panels. In one embodiment, asauna may be provided that is configured with a semi-hemispherical shapefor accommodating a single user such as, for example, the Solo System®available from Sunlight Saunas, Inc. of Kansas City, Kans.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a cut-away front view of a sauna such as thesauna 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown. As illustrated, in oneexemplary embodiment, the sauna 100 may include one or more seatingstructures 136, such as benches, chairs, or other seating structures.The seating structures 136 may be disposed adjacent to any of thevarious internal walls of the sauna such as for example, the side walls110 or the back wall 130. In various embodiments, such as the onedepicted in FIG. 2, the sauna may include open spaces 138 disposedunderneath the seating structures 136 and adjacent the interior walls110 or 130. The open spaces 138 may be left open, used for storage, usedto house other sauna feature devices, such as, for example, a computingdevice as described below, or may be used for any other purpose and inany other manner known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, thesauna 100 is also provided with backrests 134 disposed on top of theseating structures 136 for supporting a user in an upright, seatedposition.

Additionally, the sauna 100 is equipped with IR emitters 140, 142, 144,146, which are operable to heat the enclosure. The IR emitters 140, 142,144, 146 are preferably configured to emit infrared radiation at varyingwavelengths within the sauna so as to provide both heating and desirableIR treatment. In some embodiments, the IR emitters may be adjustable toemit infrared radiation at any wavelength within the infrared wavelengthspectrum such as, for example, near infrared, mid infrared, or farinfrared. The IR emitters may include heating elements comprising, forexample, carbon-black-containing planar heating elements such as forexample, Solocarbon® heat sources available from Sunlight Saunas, Inc.of Kansas City, Kans. The heating elements may also comprise IR LEDsand/or other IR emitting heating elements as further described herein.Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that such IRemitters 140, 142, 144, 146 provide a dry sauna with infrared treatment.As described further herein, IR emitters in accordance with exemplaryembodiments may be used to create a “traditional” sauna experience,either by itself or in conjunction with a dry IR sauna experience.Additionally, certain wavelength settings may be adapted for particulartreatment types such as, for example, detoxification, weight loss, painmanagement, and the like.

However, one of skill in the art will note that certain aspects ofexemplary embodiments are not limited to such a sauna (e.g., certainprinciples apply to other types of saunas, such as steam saunas) orheaters (e.g., traditional coil heaters, etc.) or even at all.Similarly, although the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 showsa plurality of IR emitter heat sources, it will be appreciated thatother exemplary embodiments may include saunas with a single heat sourcesuch as, for example, a single infrared emitter or heating element, aheated rock heat source, or a wire heat source.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the IR emitters 140, 142, 144, 146may be configured such that individual IR emitters 140, 142, 144, 146 orcombinations of IR emitters 140, 142, 144, 146 may be selected to outputwavelengths of radiation that are different than wavelengths ofradiation emitted by other IR emitters 140, 142, 144, 146. Such aconfiguration may be optimized to achieve a zone-heating effect, whereone or more IR emitters 140, 142, 144, 146 is situated in a zone thatcorresponds to a particular region on a user's body, thus providing amechanism for concentrating different levels of heat to different partsof the user's body. In an embodiment, one or more IR emitterscorresponding to one or more zones may be turned off such that no heatis emitted in those zones. It will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that such arrangements may be advantageous forvarious therapeutic reasons.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, some IR emitters144 may be positioned in a zone corresponding to a user's calf region(i.e., the lower part of the leg). Other IR emitters 146 may bepositioned in a zone corresponding to a user's lower-back region, andfurther IR emitters 140, 142 may be positioned in zones corresponding tovarious other regions of a user's back. Thus, for example, if a userwishes to apply more heat to a sore calf muscle than to the rest of theuser's body, the user may be able to select a higher output from IRemitter 144, while selecting a lower output for IR emitters 140, 142,and 146. In various embodiments, fewer IR emitters than thoseillustrated in FIG. 2 may be used, and in various other embodiments,more IR emitters than those illustrated in FIG. 2 may be used.Additionally, IR emitters may be configured in any number of ways todefine zones that correspond to any number of regions of a user's body.As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, any numberof various combinations of settings and configurations for the IRemitters are contemplated within this description.

FIG. 8 depicts examples of various IR emitting heating elements that maybe employed in exemplary embodiments as stand-alone heating elements oras components of IR emitters of an IR heat source. Individual IRemitting heating elements, including arrays thereof that function as asingle unit are referred to herein as IR emitting heating elements orsimply heating elements while combinations thereof are referred togenerally as IR emitters. IR emitters may comprise such combinationsthat are integrated into a single unit, like for example, that shown inFIG. 9, or may comprise groupings of heating elements that arecontrollable as a single unit.

Example IR heating elements include infrared light-emitting diodes(LEDs) 810, 812, and 814; thermal IR emitting elements 820 and 822;ceramic-based IR emitting element 830, and planar heating element 850.Other IR heating elements, such as halogen bulbs, are available in theart and may be employed in embodiments. Each element may provide IR atspecific wavelengths and function as part of an IR emitter heat source.Any individual IR emitter may comprise one or more heating elements,such as the examples illustrated in FIG. 8, and may further comprisemultiple types of IR heating elements that may possess different outputproperties.

Continuing with FIG. 8, LEDs 810, 812, and 814 may be surface-mountablesuch as LEDs 812 and 814. The semiconductor in the LEDs may be chosen toprovide IR at specific wavelength ranges. For example, semiconductorsusing Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) or Gallium Aluminum Arsenide may be usedto provide LEDs capable of emitting near-infrared radiation.Carbon-nanotubes may also be used, either in addition to or in place ofother semiconductors. LEDs emitting mid- or far-infrared may also beused either alone or in combination with near-infrared LEDs or otherelements, such as those described herein. The beam-angle of the LEDs maybe chosen to facilitate targeting IR at specific locations. One exampleLED suitable for use in some exemplary embodiments is the EverlightIR15-21C manufactured by Everlight Electronics Co. Thermal IR emittingelements 820 and 822 may comprise a coiled resistance wire, having highemissivity in the infrared spectral region, coiled over an aluminumsubstrate. One example thermal IR emitting element suitable for use inexemplary embodiments is the IR-12K manufactured by Boston Electronics.Ceramic-based IR emitting element 830 may include an infrared ceramicheat bulb or ceramic heat emitter comprising wire 832 encapsulated inwith alumina. One example ceramic-based IR emitting element suitable foruse in exemplary embodiments is the Ceramic Heat Wave Lamp manufacturedby Exo Terra®, a subsidiary of Hagen, Inc. of Montreal, Canada. Planarheating element 850 may comprise a high-emissivity substrate 852deposited on a surface 854 or alternatively between surfaces 854 and856. Surfaces 854 and 856 may be made of heat-tolerant materials suchas, for example, fiberglass, plastic, glass, ceramic, or any suitablematerials. High-emissivity substrate 852 may comprise carbon-blackcontaining materials such as, for example, carbon-infused paper orfabric, carbon ink deposited onto surface 854 or 856, or other suitablecarbon-based materials. One example planar heating element suitable foruse in exemplary embodiments is the Solocarbon® heat source availablefrom Sunlight Saunas, Inc. of Kansas City, Kans. Alternatively,high-emissivity substrate 852 may comprise nano-particalized ceramicthat may be deposited onto surface 854 or between surfaces 854 and 856.One example suitable for use in exemplary embodiments is the Insuladd®nano-particalized ceramic spray-on coating from Insuladd Co. of MerrittIsland, Fla. In another example embodiment, the nano-particalizedceramic may be mixed with a carbon-containing ink and deposited ontosurface 854 or between surfaces 854 and 856.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of an IR emitter that may beemployed as a heat source in a sauna in accordance with the exemplaryembodiments or for other heating applications. IR emitter 900 mayinclude various combinations of IR heating elements such as, forexample, those discussed above in connection to FIG. 8, and preferablycan be operated to emit IR over one or more desired wavelength-rangesand power-levels. In one embodiment IR emitter 900 may include a planarheating element 950 capable of providing far-IR, ceramic-based mid-IRheating elements 930 and 935, and LEDs 910 capable of emitting near-IR.LEDs 910 may be arranged in a LED array 913 which may comprise one ormore of a LED sub-array 915. IR emitter 900 may further include drivercircuitry 960 for facilitating control of the IR emitters in accordancewith exemplary embodiments. Specifically, driver circuitry 960 maycomprise one or more individual driver modules and may be coupled to oroperable to receive information from a heat control module, controlpanel, or a computing device. Each driver module may be configured tosupply appropriate voltages or currents to some IR emitters orsub-arrays of heating element needed for providing IR emissions, whichcorrespond to specific wavelength-ranges or radiated outputpower-levels. For example, driver modules may be configured to use pulsewidth modulation for IR emitters, enabling more precise control over IRwavelength-ranges and radiated output power levels and therebyfacilitating tuning IR heating. Driver circuitry may further include aprinted circuit board wired to include an AC input voltage (Vcc), a DCgate voltage (Vg), and full-wave rectifier. LED sub-arrays may becoupled to Vg and optionally the rectifier in such a manner that theamount of current flowing into each sub-array may be controlled byvarying Vg. In embodiments including a full wave rectifier, drivercircuitry may further include components such as, for example,capacitors, operational amplifiers, and inductors for smoothing theoutput of the full-wave rectifier. Alternatively driver circuitry may beconfigured to pulse-operate the LED sub-arrays using the unsmoothedoutput of the rectifier. In this embodiment, the pulse width may bevaried, for example, by changing the number of series-wired LEDs withineach sub-array.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a forward-facing cut-away view of the interior ofsauna 100 is illustrated. As indicated previously, sauna 100 may includean internal control panel 128 attached, for example, to an interior sideof front panel 120. The interior control panel 128 may include anynumber of various control panels known in the art, such as, for example,configurations that include a number of buttons, dials, switches, and/ordisplays disposed thereon. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thecontrol panel 128 may include a display device such as, for example, aliquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a plasma display screen, or anyother type of display screen appropriate for displaying variousinformation associated with a user's sauna experience. In oneembodiment, control panel 128 may comprise a touch-screen display deviceoperable to display output as well as to receive user input, where auser may interact with control panel 128 by touching the screen with afinger, stylus, or other object. In still further embodiments, controlpanel 128 may be a portable device such as, for example, a remotecontrol device or module. In other embodiments, control panel 128 may beadapted to be worn by a user, such as, for example, by affixing strapsto a part of the body.

Control panel 128 may be integrated with, or coupled to, any of thevarious controllable features associated with sauna 100. For example, inan embodiment, control panel 128 is coupled to IR emitters 140, 142,144, 146. In other embodiments, control panel 128 may be coupled to, andthus enable control of, other features such as adjustable lighting,timing devices, and the like.

In an embodiment, control panel 128 may be coupled to a multimediaentertainment system. A multimedia entertainment system may includeaudio devices, audio/video devices, and the like. For example, in anembodiment, a multimedia entertainment system may include such audiodevices as a cd player, an MP3 player, or a connection for a portablemusic storage system such as an iPod®, available from Apple Incorporatedof Cupertino, Calif. In other embodiments, audio devices may include orbe interfaced with one or more receivers, speakers, etc. Multimediaentertainment systems may also include audio/video media devices such astelevisions, monitors, projectors, DVD players, and the like. Multimediacontent may be accessed by a multimedia system in any manner known inthe art such as, for example, by accessing a storage device, byreceiving transmissions, and the like.

In exemplary embodiments, a sauna may contain a multimedia therapeuticsystem, which may, for instance, be similar to a multimediaentertainment system, but may have therapeutic value (as compared withentertainment value). For example, in one embodiment, a sauna may beprovided that includes acoustic resonance therapy products, such as the“SO SoundHeart” product line, available from So Sound Solutions, Inc.,of Lafayette, Colo. Acoustic resonance therapy may combine healingeffects of sound and vibration to harmonize all systems of the body andprovide a user with a deeper state of relaxation. Such systems includespeakers attached at specific locations in the sauna that use anamplified audio signal to resonate sound waves to surfaces of the sauna.Listening to soothing music and feeling the sauna surfaces resonatethroughout the user's body to stimulate the body's natural relaxationresponse. The resonation may provide or mimic a light touch massage. Invarious other embodiments, multimedia therapy systems may includeintegrations of acoustic therapy products with therapy products thatutilize lighting or other sensory effects.

Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is a monitoring device 152 that may beconfigured to collect biological data associated with a user of sauna100. Monitoring device 152 may include a sensor and may be configured tocommunicate data collected by the sensor to a computing device such as,for example, computing device 150 described below. It will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that monitoring device 152 maybe of any number of different configurations. In an embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 3, monitoring device 152 may include a band that canbe removably attached to a user's arm or wrist. In other embodiments,monitoring device 152 may include other sensor configurations as knownin the art, and may include sensors that are disposed within the seatingstructure 136 or elsewhere within the enclosure of sauna 100.

In various embodiments, monitoring device 152 may communicate with acomputing device 150. Computing device 150 may, as shown, be associatedwith the sauna. In other embodiments, computing device 150 is remotefrom the sauna, and may be located anywhere desired. For example,computing device 150 may be located at a doctor's office, a health clubdesk, a central serving station, a sauna manufacturer or retailer, oranywhere else desired. As used herein, computing device 150 may include,for example, client software adapted for communicating with a server. Inother embodiments, computing device 150 may be a server.

In various embodiments, computing device 150 may be or include a controlpanel for controlling the sauna. In other embodiments, computing device150 may be integrated with a control panel 128. In further embodiments,computing device 150 may be integrated with monitoring device 152. Thatis, computing device 150 may be part of monitoring device 152. In stillfurther embodiments, computing device 150, monitoring device 152, andcontrol panel 128 may all be integrated into a single device. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of othercomponents or devices may be integrated with any or all of computingdevice 150, monitoring device 152, and control panel 128.

Communication between monitoring device 152 and computing device 150 maybe achieved using any communication technology known in the art. In someembodiments, communication may be achieved, for example, using radiotechnology, Bluetooth™ technology, infrared technology, 802.11technology, USB™ ports, Firewire® ports, analog phone lines, etc.

Monitoring device 152 may be configured to collect biological dataassociated with a user of sauna 100. In an embodiment, such biologicaldata may include, for example, measurements or other informationcorresponding to a user's blood pressure, heart rate, core bodytemperature, perspiration rate, and the like. In another embodiment,biological data may include a user's body weight. In a furtherembodiment, biological data may include data regarding a user'sbreathing performance such as, for example, a breathing rate or bloodoxygen saturation. In still further embodiments, biological data mayinclude any data commonly collected during a stress test, which may beperformed using a particular wavelength of the exit.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that monitoringdevice 152 can be configured to collect information regarding these andmany other data associated with a physiological state of a sauna user.In some embodiments, for example, monitoring device 152 may comprise oneor more sensors that can be attached to various parts of a user's bodyfor collecting and/or rendering data such as data associated with commontests like EEGs or EKGs. In other embodiments, monitoring device 152 maybe adapted for measuring breathing rates, lung capacity, or compositionsof exhaled air. These data may be used, for example, in performingwellness analyses, preparing training programs, and tracking userprogress, as described further below.

Both the monitoring device 152 and the control panel 128 may beconfigured to communicate with a computing device 150. In anotherembodiment, computing device 150 may be integrated with control panel128 as a single device. In further embodiments, any one or combinationof monitoring device 152, control panel 128, and computing device 150may be a single device or multiple devices. As shown in FIG. 3,computing device 150 may be situated in an open space 138 underneath aseating structure 136, as described above. In other embodiments,computing device 150 may be situated in any other region of theenclosure. In further embodiments, computing device 150 may be attachedto an outside surface of sauna 100. In still further embodiments,computing device may not be attached to sauna 100, but rather beseparate from sauna 100. For example, computing device 150 may besituated nearby sauna 100 or may be in a remote location, such as, forexample, near a front desk of a health club. In still furtherembodiments, one or more components of computing device 150 may besituated in one location with other components situated in otherlocations.

Computing device 150 may communicate with other devices, with featuresassociated with the sauna, with monitoring device 152, and with controlpanel 128 in any manner known in the art. For example, in oneembodiment, communication cables such as USB cables or fiber-opticcables may be used to facilitate communication. In other embodiments,communication may be achieved using wireless technology. In furtherembodiments, communication may be indirect such as, for example, in thecase where a user wishes to extract some piece of data or informationfrom the computing device 150 for storage or transport to anotherdevice. Accordingly, computing device 150 may include a USB port orother type of input/output mechanisms such as disk drives, externalportable hard drives, discs. These embodiments are presented only asexamples of possible configurations, and are not intended to limit theplacement of computing device 150 or any other device or featuredescribed herein.

The computing device 150 may be provided for controlling the operationof the sauna 100, or any aspect or combination of aspects of theoperation of sauna 100. In some embodiments, the computing deviceincludes an independent computing device dedicated to the sauna 100. Inother embodiments, the computing device 150 may be the control panel 128or a component of the control panel 128. The computing device mayreceive inputs, such as inputs associated with temperature settings,light settings, and biological data. Based on the inputs, the computingdevice may control the sauna features within the enclosure. For example,computing device 150 may adjust the lighting level, temperature, orother aspects of operation of the sauna 100, based upon criteria such asa timed program, collected biological data, inputs received from a user,etc. The computing device 150 may include various input/output devicesor components such as, for example, printers, displays, etc. Thecomputing device 150 may also include one or more connection ports forproviding interfaces with peripheral devices such as storage devices,other computing devices, additional monitors, multimedia entertainmentdevices, adjustable lighting devices, etc.

In some embodiments, the computing device may act as a stand-alonedevice such that the computing device maintains all data necessary foroperating the features of the sauna 100. In other embodiments, however,the computing device operates within a distributed computingenvironment. In one embodiment, the computing device may be interfacedwith or integrated into, for example, a computing system. The computingsystem may be a comprehensive computing system within a networkingenvironment such as the exemplary computer network environment 400 shownin FIG. 4. It will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the illustrated computer network environment 400is merely an example of one suitable computing environment and is notintended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of exemplary embodiments. Neither should the computernetworking environment 400 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any single component or combination ofcomponents illustrated therein.

Exemplary embodiments may be operational with numerous other generalpurpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the exemplaryembodiments include, by way of example only, personal computers, servercomputers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of theabove-mentioned systems or devices, and the like.

Exemplary embodiments may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include, but are notlimited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structuresthat perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Exemplary embodiments may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inlocal and/or remote computer storage media including, by way of exampleonly, memory storage devices.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the exemplary computer networkingenvironment 400 includes a general purpose computing device in the formof a server 402. Server 402 may be remote from the computing device 150described above or server 402 may be computing device 150. Components ofthe server 402 may include, without limitation, a processing unit,internal system memory, and a suitable system bus for coupling varioussystem components with the server 402. The system bus may be any ofseveral types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus, using any of a variety ofbus architectures. In one embodiment, two or more servers may bedirectly or indirectly connected to each other without using network406. While the server 402 is illustrated as a single unit in FIG. 1, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the server 402 is scalable. Theserver 402 may in actuality include any number of servers incommunication. For example, in one embodiment server 402 may actuallyinclude two servers, and in another embodiment server 402 may be a bankof servers. The single unit depictions are meant for clarity, not tolimit the scope of embodiments in any form.

The server 402 typically includes, or has access to, a variety ofcomputer readable media. Computer readable media can be any availablemedia that may be accessed by server 402, and includes volatile andnonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media. By wayof example, and not limitation, computer readable media may includecomputer storage media and communication media. Computer storage mediamay include, without limitation, volatile and nonvolatile media, as wellas removable and nonremovable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. In thisregard, computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magneticstorage device, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which may be accessed by the server 402.Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and mayinclude any information delivery media. As used herein, the term“modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more of itsattributes set or changed in such a manner as to encode information inthe signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediaincludes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wirelessmedia. Combinations of any of the above also may be included within thescope of computer readable media.

The server 402 may operate in a computer network 406 using logicalconnections to one or more computing devices 408. Computing devices 408may be located at a variety of locations such as, for example, in ahealth club, office, spa, clinical, or home environment. Computingdevices 408 may, in some embodiments, be operable to control variousfeatures within saunas as described throughout this document. In otherembodiments, computing devices 408 may be centrally located and beoperable to control a plurality of saunas, and may, in addition, beconfigured to perform various other functions. The computing devices 408may be personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, peer devices,other common network nodes, or the like, and may include some or all ofthe components described above in relation to the server 402. Thedevices can be personal digital assistants or other like devices.

Exemplary computer networks 406 may include, without limitation, localarea networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs). Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices, and may include suchembodiments as enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and theInternet. When utilized in a WAN networking environment, the server 402may include a modem or other means for establishing communications overthe WAN, such as the Internet. In a networked environment, programmodules or portions thereof may be stored in the server 402 or on any ofthe computing devices 408. For example, and not by way of limitation,various application programs may reside on the memory associated withany one or more of the computing devices 408 or servers 402. It will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the networkconnections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing acommunications link between the computers (e.g., server 402 andcomputing devices 408) may be utilized.

In operation, a user may enter commands and information into the server402 or convey the commands and information to the server 402 via one ormore of the computing devices 408 through input devices, such as akeyboard, a pointing device (commonly referred to as a mouse), atrackball, touch-screen, or a touch pad. Other input devices mayinclude, without limitation, microphones, satellite dishes, scanners, orthe like. Commands and information may also be sent directly from aremote sauna to the server 402, as well as from server 402 to any numberof remote saunas. In addition to a monitor, the server 402 and/orcomputing devices 408 may include other peripheral output devices, suchas speakers and a printer.

Server 402 may also be configured to receive diagnostic information fromanother computing device, such as computing device 408. In otherembodiments, server 402 may maintain a website or other publicly orprivately viewable collection of information. A website maintained byserver 402 may include interactive information for users, updates forsauna feature settings, information regarding saunas, interactive repairservices, and any other feature, service or set of information that maybe helpful or necessary in accomplishing any of the other objects,embodiments, processes, and environments described herein with respectto exemplary embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, computing device 408 may include a clientmodule 410 that facilitates, in part, communications between thecomputing device 408 and server 402. For example, turning briefly toFIG. 5, a schematic illustration of an exemplary client module 410 isshown. As illustrated, client module 410 may include an input/outputcomponent 502 for communicating with a server 402. The input/outputcomponent 502 may be configured to send communications to server 402, aswell as receive communications from server 402. In one embodiment, forexample, the input/output component may facilitate communicating datasuch as biological data to server 402. In an embodiment, input/outputcomponent 502 may be configured to receive communications includingsauna feature settings from server 402.

As used herein, a sauna feature setting may include any setting orconfiguration that, when applied to a device or feature associated witha sauna, provides a particular experience to a sauna user. For example,in an embodiment, a sauna feature setting may include a temperature orwavelength setting that, when applied via computing device 408 to a IRemitter included in a sauna, results in the IR emitter emitting aparticular amount of heat or radiation at a particular wavelength. Inother embodiments, a sauna feature setting may correspond to suchfeatures as adjustable lighting, wherein applying a sauna featuresetting may cause a particular type of lighting effect or ambiencewithin the enclosure.

In further embodiments, a sauna feature setting may be associated withany number of other features of a sauna such as, for example, a timerdevice that is operable to control the duration of heat output atparticular wavelengths, settings internal to computing device 408,entertainment media devices (e.g. audio, visual, or audio/visual mediapresentation devices), and monitoring devices, such as described above.In exemplary embodiments, sauna feature settings may be savedindividually or in combination with other sauna feature settings. Invarious embodiments, saved or stored sauna feature settings maycorrespond to certain types of treatment, certain users, or recentlyused settings. Saved sauna feature settings may be organized, in anembodiment, into one or more profiles associated with users, treatmenttypes, or any other desired factor, parameter, or event.

Sauna feature settings may be defined by a sauna user, a health cluboperator, or a computer program and may be applied to the sauna in anynumber of ways such as by inputting the sauna feature settings via acontrol panel such as the control panel 128 illustrated in FIG. 3, acomputing device 408, or a server 402. In this regard, server 402 mayinclude a dynamic experience updating module 404, as illustrated in FIG.4. The updating module 404 may be configured to generate sauna featuresettings to be communicated to and applied by a computing device 408.The updating module may, for example, receive data from the clientmodule 410 that may include biological data associated with a user, anduse this data to generate appropriate sauna feature settings thatprovide an optimum experience for the user. These sauna feature settingsmay be generated and applied during a sauna session, that is while auser is using the sauna, or may be generated and/or applied before orduring a later session.

In an embodiment, the updating module 404 is configured to work with theclient module 410 of the computing device 408 in order to maintain atraining program, wellness program, or other program. A training programmay include a program such as those known in the art to be associatedwith any number of various health or fitness programs such as, forexample, workout programs, aerobics programs, and the like. A wellnessprogram may include programmed settings for achieving, for example,health benefits such as detoxification of a user's body or weight loss.The terms training and wellness program may be used to refer to programshaving differing goals or outcomes or may be used interchangeably;training and wellness programs are referred to generally hereinafter astraining programs or more simply, programs. It will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that the potential benefits fromcontrolled heating environments such as saunas are numerous.

A training program may include a number of predetermined progress levelsthat correspond to various sauna feature settings. A user may utilizesuch a training program by engaging in sauna sessions at a particularprogress level, and upon successfully completing a progress level,moving on to another progress level that corresponds to different saunafeature settings. In this manner, biological data associated with thephysiological response of a user to sauna sessions may be logged,analyzed, and tracked in order to vary the sauna experience in a mannerthat facilitates achieving optimal health, comfort, and therapeuticbenefits from the use of the sauna.

In other embodiments, updating module 404 may be configured to manageuser profile settings. A user profile may include various settingsrelated to sauna features such as those described above. A user profilemay contain settings directed toward specific comfort levels, experiencetypes, and users.

Returning to FIG. 5, client module 410 may also include a storagecomponent 504 for storing data such as, for example, biological datacollected by a monitoring device such as the monitoring device 152,illustrated in FIG. 3. The storage component 504, shown in FIG. 5, mayfurther be configured to store any other type of data or information,including data and information associated with a training program, asdescribed below. Client module 410 may further include a settingscomponent for facilitating the application of sauna feature settings tothe various features, devices, and aspects of a sauna.

Returning now to FIG. 4, computing device 408 may also include ananalysis module 412 for analyzing data and information. Various data andinformation may be received by the analysis module 412 from any numberof sources, such as the client module 410, a control panel, or amonitoring device such as the monitoring device 152 described above. Theanalysis module 412 may be configured to perform any number of variousanalysis processes on data and/or information received therein. Module412 may be integral to sauna, or may be external to the sauna—forexample, associated with a web server or other external computer. In anembodiment, analysis module 412 is configured to analyze biological datacollected by a monitoring device such as monitoring device 152 describedabove. Analysis module 412 may generate, as output, any number of typesof data and/or information that may be represented in any manner knownin the art such as, for example, values, graphs, tables, and charts. Inother embodiments, analysis module 412 may output information to anotherdevice such as a computing device, diagnostic device, control panel,etc. In an embodiment, such information may be outputted to a webpagewhere it can be managed and viewed by a user or others. In otherembodiments, information may be outputted to a server or storage systemfor various purposes. In an embodiment, analysis module 412 may beconfigured to determine various factors associated with a user'sphysiological health or response to a sauna experience. Such informationmay include, but is not limited to, computations related to energy suchas caloric measurements.

Computing device 408 may also include a heat control module 414 forcontrolling and adjusting the various outputs of IR emitters within thesauna. The heat control module 414 may be configured to implement heator wavelength settings as inputted by a user or other device. In oneembodiment, heat control module 414 includes a timing mechanism forcontrolling the length of time that IR emitters produce output. Inanother embodiment, heat control module 414 may be configured to causethe sauna to rapidly achieve a desired temperature such as by, forexample, causing the IR emitters to generate a higher heat output for aperiod of time before a user enters the enclosure. Additionally,computing device 408 and/or server 402 may include a diagnostic module416 for performing diagnostics associated with the operation of thesauna. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that asauna having controllable features and devices therein generallyincludes one or more electrical systems for facilitating the operationand control of those features and devices. Such an electrical system mayinclude any number of circuits and may be operable to transmitelectricity to and from features and devices. An electrical system maybe configured to be generally used for providing power or transferringinformation.

Diagnostic module 416 may be configured to communicate with one or morediagnostic devices disposed within the sauna enclosure. In otherembodiments, diagnostic module 416 may be configured to communicate withother modules associated with a computing device within the sauna. Infurther embodiments, diagnostic module 416 or diagnostic devices may beconfigured to communicate with other remote computing devices,diagnostic devices, or software modules. For example, in an embodiment,diagnostic module 416 may be configured to communicate diagnosticinformation and error reports to a repair service provider withoutinteraction from a user. In still further embodiments, diagnostic module416 may be configured to prepare repair requests and/or orderreplacement parts, with or without input from the user and may even beconfigured to perform various tasks such as these without the user everknowing about it.

The diagnostic devices may be coupled to different locations within thevarious circuits that comprise the electrical systems of the sauna. Thisway, the diagnostic devices may be configured to monitor the flow ofelectricity through various channels in the electrical system and may befurther configured to detect and gather data associated with electricalfailures. In an embodiment, the diagnostic device may also be configuredto test circuits such as by applying a signal to a circuit. As usedherein, an electrical failure may be any undesired or unexpected eventwithin the electrical system that results in the performance of theelectrical system being anything other than the performance for whichthe electrical system is designed.

Upon detecting an electrical failure, the diagnostic devices maycommunicate information and/or data associated with the electricalfailure to the diagnostic module 416. The diagnostic module 416 may beconfigured to analyze such data in order to determine variouscharacteristics associated with the electrical failure such as what theelectrical failure consists of, what caused the electrical failure, howthe electrical failure will or does affect other aspects of theelectrical system, and how to repair the electrical system to eradicatethe effects of the electrical failure. In various embodiments, thediagnostic module 416 may be configured to output diagnostic informationon a display device, to send diagnostic information to a remote locationsuch as to a server, or output diagnostic information in any othermanner known in the art.

Turning to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided that shows a method 600for using a sauna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In anembodiment, a training program such as that described above may bemaintained and managed at a server such as server 402 illustrated inFIG. 4. At step 602 of FIG. 6, a plurality of progress levels associatedwith a training program are identified. As indicated above, each ofthese progress levels may correspond to one or more sauna featuresettings such as, for example, duration of a training session,temperature of various IR emitters in various zones, radiationwavelengths emitted by IR emitters in various zones, humidity levels,and the like.

In various embodiments, progress levels may be designed for trainingprograms targeted to specific types of users, therapy, illnesses,conditions, injuries, locations, etc. For example, in one embodiment, atraining program may be designed with sauna feature settings selectedfor use by users of a certain age, gender, health status, or the like.In an embodiment, for example, a training program may be designedespecially for pregnant women. In another embodiment, a training programmay be designed for women with fibromyalgia who are older than 40 yearsold. These are but a few examples of a myriad of possibilities and arenot intended to limit the purposes for which a training program may bedesigned in any way.

At step 604, notification is received that indicates that a user hasinitiated a training session associated with a first one of the progresslevels. As the training session progresses, biological data associatedwith the user is received at step 606 from a client, such as clientmodule 410 of computing device 408 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated at step 608, the biological data is stored after beingreceived. In an embodiment, the biological data may be stored as part ofa session entry in a training log associated with the user. At step 610,the biological data is analyzed in order to generate conclusionsregarding the user's wellness and physiological responses to thetraining session. This analysis is used at the end of the trainingsession to determine, in step 612, whether the user has successfullycompleted the progress level. If the user has successfully completed theprogress level, sauna feature settings corresponding to the nextprogress level are generated, as shown at step 614. These featuresettings are communicated to the client at step 616.

Turning now to FIG. 7, another flow diagram is shown illustrating amethod 700 of using a sauna according to an exemplary embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 7, step 702 consists of providing diagnostic devices fordetecting electrical failure within one or more of the variouselectrical systems associated with a sauna. At step 704, diagnostic dataare received from the diagnostic devices. This diagnostic data, asexplained above, may relate to any number of aspects of an electricalfailure.

The diagnostic data is analyzed at step 706 to determine characteristicsassociated with the electrical failure. Based on the results of thisanalysis, a repair plan is generated at step 708. The repair plan mayinclude a set of instructions or recommendations corresponding toactions that can be taken, either by an individual or by a systemdevice, to remedy the problem or problems that resulted in theelectrical failure.

Referring now to FIG. 10A, an IR emitter 1000 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment is illustrated. The IR emitter 1000 may comprise aplurality of sections, such as first section 1010, second section 1020,third section 1030, and fourth section 1040. Each section may comprisean electronically discreet heating element. A heating element may be,for example, a flexible high-resistance polyimide material that may betuned to emit infrared radiation with a peak emission wavelength at aselectable wavelength. A high emissivity coating may cover the surfaceof the polyimide substrate, if desired.

Further details of a polyimide heating element, such as may be used forfirst heating element 1010, second heating element 1020, third heatingelement 1030, and/or fourth heating element 1040, are illustrated inFIG. 10B. FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a polyimideheating element 1060 that comprises a substrate 1061. Substrate 1061 maycomprise a first polyimide layer 1062 and a second polyimide layer 1062,with a metallic foil 1066 between first polyimide layer 1062 and secondpolyimide layer 1064. First polyimide layer 1062 and second polyimidelayer 1064 may be approximately 0.002 inches thick. Metallic foil 1066may comprise copper foil approximately 0.005 inches thick. Metallic foil1066 may be etched with conducting traces. Metallic foil 1066 mayeffectively reduce inductance and EMI. High emissivity coating 1070 maybe applied to the surface of the substrate 1061 intended to face thesubject/object to be heated. High emissivity coating 1070 may comprise,for example, Insuladd® suspended in matt black paint, resulting in anestimated emissivity of 0.98. Of course, any type of high emissivitycoating may be used. For example, various non-metallic plastics hightemperature paints such as Thurmalox by Dampney Engineering Coatings,and/or powder coatings may be used as high emissivity coating 1070.While the substrate 1061 illustrated in FIG. 10B comprises a firstpolyimide layer 1062, a metallic foil 1066, and a second polyimide layer1064, other substrates may be used. For example, substrate 1061 maycomprise Cirlex, which is a proprietary, all polyimide material,comprising layers of DuPont Kapton®. If used, Cirlex may comprise athickness of from about 0.008 inches to 0.125 inches. By way of furtherexample, substrate 1061 may comprise etched foil or wound wire betweenlayers of fiberglass reinforced silicone rubber. Yet a further exampleof a substrate 1061 is an etched foil layer between layers of mica. Ofcourse, further types of materials may be used for substrate 1061without departing from the scope of exemplary embodiments.

Referring again to FIG. 10A, one of skill in the art will furtherrealize that sections as illustrated in FIG. 10 may comprise varioustypes of heating elements illustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG.10, first section 1110 may be controlled using a first thermocouple1115, second section 1120 may be controlled using a second thermocouple1125, third section 1130 may be controlled using a third thermocouple1135, and fourth section 1140 may be controlled using a fourththermocouple 1145. The use of thermocouples may be advantageous inproviding a finer control of the radiative temperature of the section itcontrols than a thermostat, but a thermostat or other type of controldevice may be utilized. As illustrated in FIG. 10, infrared source 1000may further comprise an additional heating zone 1050 controlled by afifth thermocouple 1055, although other types of heat control devicesmay be used. As illustrated in FIG. 10, fifth heating zone, 1050comprises an LED array. For example, LED array 1050 may emitfar-infrared radiation under the control of thermocouple 1055. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, different types of heating elements may be usedin combination to provide different types of infrared spectrumsimultaneously. For example, first section 1010 may be set (by the user,by an administrator, by a software program, or by other sources) to emitinfrared radiation in the near-infrared spectrum. Meanwhile, secondheating section 1020 and third heating section 1030 may be set (bysimilarly various means as the first section 1010) to emit infraredradiation in the mid-infrared spectrum. Fourth section 1040 may bedeactivated for purposes of a given infrared application. Meanwhile,fifth section 1050 may be activated (similarly to first section 1010) toemit infrared radiation in the far-infrared portion of the spectrum. Oneof skill in the art will appreciate that any given peak infraredwavelength will correspond to a surface temperature of the emittingheating section. In such a fashion, a user may obtain a spectrum havinga desired peak or peaks of infrared radiation at one or more desiredwavelengths, as well as a peak desired power of radiation. Whileinfrared sources such as IR source 1000 may be particularly useful insaunas, as described herein, one of skill in the art will appreciatethat a tunable infrared source such as IR source 1000 may be useful in anumber of applications.

Overall, infrared source 1000 may be approximately 25.5 inches long andapproximately 13.5 inches high. Fifth heating section 1050 may compriseapproximately a 4 inch by 6.5 inch section approximately centered withininfrared source 1000. A space 1070 of approximately 1 inch may beprovided between fifth heating section 1050 and first heating section1010, second heating section 1020, third heating section 1030, andfourth heating section 1040 to facilitate the operation of fifth heatingsection 1050 at a lower operating temperature than first heating section1010, second heating section 1020, and third heating section 1030, andfourth heating section 1040. The power density of one or more section ofinfrared source 1000 may be selected based upon the cooling, load of theheating section. The desired power density may impact the shape anddensity of copper traces in the polyimide heater example illustrated inFIG. 10B. For sauna applications, in which the cooling load may belimited air in contact with the heating section, a desirable powerdensity may be 2.5 w/in² at 120 Vrms. Individual heating elements ofinfrared IR emitter 1000 may, optionally, be thermal limited to amaximum surface temperature of 160° C. If fifth heating section 1050 isan LED array, a resistor, such as a 26Ω drive resistor may be used tolimit current to the LED array. The drive resistor, being a currentlimiting mechanism, may dissipate excess energy through ohmic heat loss.The drive resistor may be integrated directly onto a polyimide heatinglayer as an appropriately sized metallic trace.

Turning now to FIG. 11, another flow diagram is shown illustrating anexample embodiment of a method 1100 for tuning IR heating in a sauna. Atstep 1110, wavelength-range information is received. This informationrelates a portion of the infrared spectrum and may come from a controlpanel or computing device. It may be provided by a user or computingdevice. For example, a user may select settings with a control panel orheat control module indicating desired IR wavelength ranges. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that a user may select wavelengthinformation either directly or indirectly. For example, a user maydirectly select a specific wavelength(s) (for example, ten microns) or aspecific range of wavelengths (for example, near-infrared).Alternatively, a user may indirectly select a wavelength(s) by selectinga sauna program (for example “Detox”). Alternatively a computing devicemay provide information relating to wavelength-ranges based on, forexample, biological data of a user, program settings built into thesauna, information provided by a health club, or other availableinformation. At step 1120, power-level information is received. Thisinformation relates to radiated power output levels of IR emitted atwavelengths corresponding to the wavelength-ranges received at step1110. Power-level information may be received from the same sources andbe provided in a similar manner as the wavelength-range information. Forexample, power-level information may be selected directly or indirectlyby a user. Alternatively, power-level information may be received fromdriver circuitry of IR emiters. At step 1130, user information isreceived. This information may include information related to specificlocations on one or more users' bodies or specific pains, conditions, orsymptoms associated with users. User information may be received fromthe same sources and be provided in a similar manner as thewavelength-range information. For example, user information may bereceived directly or indirectly from a user. Step 1140 determinesparameters for IR-source drivers based on the received information. Thismay include determining any control instructions; control signals; andspecific voltage or current levels; including gate voltages duty-cycles,pulse-widths, or pulse-width-modulation frequencies, for example, forfacilitating emission of IR corresponding to the receivedwavelength-range information, power-level information, and userinformation. Finally, at step 1150, IR is emitted, from one or moreinfrared sources, at wavelength-ranges and power-levels corresponding tothe received information. Furthermore, in one illustrative embodiment,the emitted IR may be directed to specific locations on a user's bodycorresponding to the received user-information. Step 1150 may beperformed by selectively activating IR emitters and/or selectivelyactivating IR heating elements within a given IR emitter. For example,only the far-infrared emitting heating elements in the IR emitter near auser's legs may be activated, while both the near- and mid-infraredemitting heating elements in the IR emitter(s) near a user's torso areactivated, while none of the infrared emitting heating elements in theIR emitter(s) near a user's head are activated. Of course, such aselective activation may employ any degree of spatial, temporal, power,and/or wavelength specificity desired in constructing a sauna inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a further method 1200 in accordance withexemplary embodiments is illustrated. In step 1210 an object may beplaced proximate to infrared heating elements having different peakemission wavelengths. The heating elements having different peakemission wavelengths as referenced in step 1210 may possess inherentlydifferent peak emission wavelengths, such as may be the case for heatingelements constructed of different materials that inherently emit at adifferent wavelength than one another, or may utilize tunable heatingelements that may be tuned to emit at differing peak wavelengths.Further, step 1210 may utilize a combination of tunable and non-tunableheating elements. In step 1220 the infrared heating elements areselectively powered to achieve a desired infrared spectrum. Thisspectrum will ultimately be radiated to the object, which may comprise ahuman body if method 1200 is used in conjunction with a sauna. One ofskill in the art will appreciate, however, that method 1200 and theother systems and methods in accordance with exemplary embodiments maybe utilized in a variety of scenarios and for a variety of purposesother than a sauna application.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an example of an infrared spectrum 1300 withmultiple peak wavelengths, such as may be obtained using systems andmethods in accordance with exemplary embodiments, is illustrated. Anear-infrared peak 1310 of a near-infrared spectrum 1315 may be emittedby one or more near-infrared heating elements. A mid-infrared peak 1320of a mid-infrared spectrum 1325 may be emitted by one or moremid-infrared heating elements. A far-infrared peak 1330 of afar-infrared spectrum 1335 may be emitted by one or more far-infraredheating elements. An individual heating element may be permanentlydedicated or tuneable to emitting in the near-infrared, mid-infrared,and/or far-infrared. One of skill in the art will appreciate that aheating element may have a peak wavelength in one portion of theinfrared spectrum but still emit at lower powers in other wavelengths.The precise shape of a spectrum will depend upon the material and powerof a heating element.

The boundaries defining the near-, mid-, and far-infrared ranges are notprecisely defined in the scientific community. Generally, near-infraredranges from about 750-1500 nanometers (nm), mid-infrared ranges fromabout 1500-7000 nm, and the far-infrared range is greater than about7000 nm up to about 1 millimeter. In some embodiments, the near infraredrange is defined to include all or at least a portion of the spectrum ofvisible light, especially the portion including red light, and thusincludes wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 1500 nm or from about480 nm to about 960 nm or from about 580 nm to about 960 nm. The poweror intensity of a given peak may be varied, for example, by increasingor decreasing the number of heating elements operating at that peakwavelength.

Exemplary embodiments provide for a sauna integrated within a smart homeenvironment such that various settings associated with the sauna can becontrolled from various locations in the home, or even from locationsremote from the home. Other embodiments provide for a sauna that isintegrated within a network of saunas or other devices. Still furtherembodiments provide for a sauna having any combination or all of thevarious features described herein.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been describedwith the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after andbecause of reading it. Alternative means of implementing theaforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of theclaims below. Identification of structures as being configured toperform a particular function in this disclosure and in the claims belowis intended to be inclusive of structures and arrangements or designsthereof that are within the scope of this disclosure and readilyidentifiable by one of skill in the art and that can perform theparticular function in a similar way. Certain features andsub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features and sub-combinations and are contemplated within thescope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infrared-therapy device comprising: anenclosure assembly for accommodating a user; a first heating elementcoupled with the enclosure assembly and operable to emit infraredradiation in a near-infrared radiation spectrum; a second heatingelement coupled with the enclosure assembly and operable to emitinfrared radiation in a far-infrared radiation spectrum; and a controlmodule operably coupled to one or both of the first heating element andthe second heating element and configured to allow a user to specifydesired output infrared radiation from the one or both of the firstheating element and the second heating element.
 2. The infrared-therapydevice of claim 1, further comprising: a driver module operably coupledto the first heating element and the second heating element andconfigured to selectively control the first heating element and thesecond heating element to emit infrared radiation, and wherein thecontrol module is operably coupled with the driver module to controloutput of infrared radiation.
 3. The infrared-therapy device of claim 1,further comprising: a first driver module operably coupled to the firstheating element and configured to selectively control the first heatingelement to emit infrared radiation; a second driver module operablycoupled to the second heating element and configured to selectivelycontrol the second heating element to emit infrared radiation, andwherein the control module is operably coupled with one or both of thefirst driver module and the second driver module to control outputinfrared radiation by the one or both of the first heating element andthe second heating element.
 4. The infrared-therapy device of claim 1,wherein the desired output infrared radiation is specified based on anindication of one or more of a wavelength, an infrared radiationspectrum, a temperature, and a training program.
 5. An infrared-therapydevice comprising: an enclosure assembly for accommodating a user; afirst heating element coupled with the enclosure assembly and operableto emit infrared radiation in a near-infrared radiation spectrum; asecond heating element coupled with the enclosure assembly and operableto emit infrared radiation in a far-infrared radiation spectrum; adriver module operably coupled to the first heating element and thesecond heating element and configured to selectively control the firstheating element and the second heating element to emit infraredradiation; and a control module operably coupled to the driver moduleand configured to allow a user to specify desired output infraredradiation.
 6. The infrared-therapy device of claim 5, furthercomprising: an infrared emitter that includes the first heating elementand the second heating element in an integrated unit that is coupledwith the enclosure assembly.
 7. The infrared-therapy device of claim 6,wherein the infrared emitter further includes the driver module.
 8. Theinfrared-therapy device of claim 5, further comprising: a first infraredemitter that includes the first heating element; and a second infraredemitter that includes the second heating element, the first and thesecond infrared emitters being separately coupled with the enclosureassembly.
 9. The infrared-therapy device of claim 5, further comprising:a third heating element coupled with the enclosure assembly and operableto emit infrared radiation in a mid-infrared radiation spectrum, thethird heating element being operably coupled with the driver module andthe control module.
 10. The infrared-therapy device of claim 9, whereinthe control module is configured to receive a specification of a desiredoutput infrared radiation over one or more of the near-, the mid-, andthe far-infrared spectrums, and to determine one or more of the first,the second, and the third heating elements to be energized to provideinfrared radiation based on the specification, and wherein thespecification includes an indication of one or more of a wavelength, aninfrared radiation spectrum, a temperature, and a training program. 11.The infrared-therapy device of claim 5, wherein the second heatingelement is tunable to be selectively operable to emit infrared radiationin one or both of the far- and a mid-infrared radiation spectrum. 12.The infrared-therapy device of claim 11, wherein the control module isconfigured to receive a specification of a desired output infraredradiation over one or more of the near-, the mid-, and the far-infraredspectrums, and to determine one or more of the first and the secondheating elements to be energized to provide infrared radiation based onthe specification, and when one or more of the mid- and the far-infraredspectrums are indicated by the specification the control module isconfigured to determine a setting at which to operate the second heatingelement to produce infrared radiation in the one or more of the mid- andthe far infrared spectrums.
 13. The infrared-therapy device of claim 12,wherein the setting is one or more of a current and a voltage to beapplied to the second heating element.
 14. An infrared-therapy devicecomprising: an enclosure assembly for accommodating a user; a firstheating element coupled with the enclosure assembly and operable to emitinfrared radiation in a near-infrared radiation spectrum; a secondheating element coupled with the enclosure assembly and operable to emitinfrared radiation in a far-infrared radiation spectrum; a first drivermodule operably coupled to the first heating element and configured toselectively control the first heating element to emit infraredradiation; a second driver module operably coupled to the second heatingelement and configured to selectively control the second heating elementto emit infrared radiation; and a control module operably coupled to thefirst and the second driver modules and configured to allow a user tospecify desired output infrared radiation.
 15. The infrared-therapydevice of claim 14, further comprising: an infrared emitter thatincludes the first heating element and the second heating element in anintegrated unit that is coupled with the enclosure assembly.
 16. Theinfrared-therapy device of claim 15, wherein the infrared emitterfurther includes the first and the second driver modules.
 17. Theinfrared-therapy device of claim 14, further comprising: a firstinfrared emitter that includes the first heating element and the firstdriver module; and a second infrared emitter that includes the secondheating element and the second driver module, the first and the secondinfrared emitters being separately coupled with the enclosure assembly.18. The infrared-therapy device of claim 14, further comprising: a thirdheating element coupled with the enclosure assembly and operable to emitinfrared radiation in a mid-infrared radiation spectrum, and wherein thecontrol module is configured to allow a user to selectively specifydesired output infrared radiation over the near-, the mid-, and thefar-infrared radiation spectrums.
 19. The infrared-therapy device ofclaim 18, further comprising: a third driver module operably coupled tothe control module and to the third heating element to control the thirdheating element to emit infrared radiation.
 20. The infrared-therapydevice of claim 18, further comprising: an infrared emitter thatincludes the second and the third heating element in an integrated unit.